MORE than 300 Hindus have gathered in Bradford to mark their festival of Vijaya Dashami, celebrating triumph of good over evil.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) Bradford Branch hosted the event with people coming from as far away as Hull and Darlington.

The festival recognises the belief that Lord Rama killed the demon King Ravana and rescued his abducted wife Sita Mata.

Honorable Chief Guest Lt. Col. Paul Davies from the British Army, Flt Lt. Ed Stephens from the Royal Air Force and Shri Chandrakantji Sharma from HSS UK were among guests.

As part of the event there was a mark of respect shown for weapons used to protect society from evil forces and which should only ever be used as a last resort in order to maintain peace and harmony, said a spokesman from Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) Bradford Branch, a group that promotes Hindu values.

Young people also performed a short role-play demonstrating a message of unity, truth, righteousness and duty from the Hindu Epic, the Ramayana. It included yoga, traditional Indian games, dumbbells sequence and martial arts. Guests also enjoyed songs, speeches and a vegetarian meal.